via The Bob Moog Foundation
Meet The RENSITRON!
"Bob Moog's First Keyboard Instrument Added to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives
Bob Moog’s earliest known keyboard instrument, the Rensitron, now resides in the Bob Moog Foundation Archives! Bob built this small electronic organ in 1951, at only 16 years of age. His Bronx High School of Science teacher, Hymen Rensin, bought the instrument from Bob for $10 ($120 when adjusted for inflation)!
The Rensitron is a two-octave electronic organ, featuring vacuum tubes, hand-carved wooden mini-keys, and a built-in 5-inch speaker with a hand-made, stylized 'R' speaker grille, all encased in a slanted wooden cabinet. If you're wondering how someone so young could have designed this, Bob had already been dabbling in electronics since age ten! The 'chicken head' knobs on the front panel for volume, tone, and pitch are the same as those used on classic R.A. Moog synth modules, whispering hints about the world-changing instruments yet to come. Similarly portentous are two top panel labels, which read 'Rensitron' and 'Electronic Organ Made For Mr. Rensin By Robert Moog May 1951,' both of which use the same black Dymo Labeler tape as the early R.A. Moog modular systems.
Most notable up top are hand-crafted wooden keys with spring action, most likely made by Bob's father, George Conrad Moog, an engineer and woodworker. Some of the keys have less 'spring in their step' than others, but most still retain a very playable feel!
To learn more about the Rensitron and see more pictures, check out our blog post on moogfoundation.org!"
What? No audio demo? Probably does not work after all this time. A new duplicate should be fabricated so that we can all hear what it would have sounded like. How's that for a new project, BMF?
ReplyDeleteThe Rensitron is not functional due to its age and the degradation of its components. It's not even suited to be plugged in. We will have to determine if we want to restore it and make it playable, or leave it in its original state, where it will remain unplayable. As for a duplicate, we'll ponder that when we have the funding for such things.
DeleteI work for the BMF (and a Matrixsynth fan of 20+ years). A service tech gave it a look-see and doesn't recommend plugging it in just yet. The Bob Moog Foundation Archives is hopeful to restore this little beastie someday, inasmuch as so many other vintage instruments in our archives.
ReplyDelete